OXFORDSHIRE made it three Western Division victories in a row when convincingly beating Herefordshire by 162 runs.

Seamer Rob Keat took three wickets on the final day at Challow & Childrey CC as the home side claimed a dominant win in the Unicorns Counties Championship.

Herefordshire resumed on 82-1, trailing by 249 after Oxon had opened up an initial lead of 331 after their second innings.

An opening partnership of 71 between Matt Pardoe (48) and Jujhar Johal (31) during the last hours of Monday’s play had given the visitors hope of pulling off an exciting run chase.

But they were dealt a blow within 40 minutes of the final day when they were restricted to 95-3.

Herefordshire had only added nine runs to their overnight total when Matt Warner had Ian Bullock caught by Freddie Smith to leave them 91-2.

Gareth Andrew, who finished with figures of 3-32, then dismissed captain Pardoe, whose 48 came off 77 balls and included six fours, as the visitors slipped to 95-3.

Oxon moved closer to victory when the former Worcestershire seamer had Mahaaz Ahmed caught behind by captain Jonny Cater as Herefordshire were further reduced to 112-4.

Rob Keat then ripped through the middle order, claiming three of the next four victims as the visitors were left reeling on 160-8 and staring at a third defeat of the campaign.

The Oxford seamer had Shameer Ahmed and Thomas Hage caught behind in quick succession.

Spinner Harvey Eltham then dismissed Barney Morgan, before Keat, who took 3-20 off seven overs, picked up the wicket of Ollie Rogoff.

With No 11 Alex Russell absent, Oxon were on the brink of victory, needing only one more wicket.

And Eltham claimed his second victim, bowling Dan Conway, just before 2pm as Herefordshire finished well short of their hosts, who now have three wins from four games, on 169-9.